September 6th - Fine day. Wrote a note to cousin Dora Fairs. Took cab for Princess Landing and had luggage put on steamer or tender plying between landing and the vessel. We were going to sail in steamship Wyoming. On board and attended meeting where the following appointments were made: Elder N. [Nils] C. Flygare president; Elders Thomas Childs and Rasmus Nielsen counselors; Elder Charles Monk chaplain; and John C. Schofield secretary; and took dinner and bid adieu to the brethren that were present not coming away and old England at 1:45 o'clock p.m.

September 7th 1879 - Morning dull. Left Queenstown 9:45 o'clock a.m. after an exchange of passengers 10:30 a.m. Rain 2 p.m. Sea rough and many sick. 4:30 p.m. I took seasickness and vomited much. Ship rocking a great deal on account of light gale.

Sept.8th - Sea very rough. I sick all day. Nothing would stay on my stomach.

Sept. 9th - Sea more calm. I some better and eat a small quantity. Very cold weather.

Sept. 10th - Pleasant but cool. Health much better although very sore under left breast and ribs. Although traveling first class I have had a first class sickness with it to boot. Steamship traveling finely against head wind. 270, 285 miles, and 329 miles - three days travel. At night had a long talk with a Mr. Wilson who wanted to hear for himself about some things from a Mormon. We talked on several subjects and then plural marriage and Mormonism in general next day.

Sept. 11th - Rain early, then more pleasant. Steamship traveling well. 315 miles. I gathered for President Flygare the orders for railroad tickets of the brethren and sisters in the First Ward. I had been appointed to preside to expedite business at New York for passengers.

Sept. 12th - Rather cool but fine weather. Steamship in twenty four hours run 333 miles. Read a number of passages of scripture to many persons on deck on the gospel as there were many on board besides our people. Several reverent preachers, I believe five, and not all of one faith or belief. At 8 o'clock p.m. a concert was held in the cabin given by the passengers, the captain, chairman. My health much better after seasickness. Appetite good and plenty of food to eat.

Sept. 13th - Rain in the night. Vessel in a little more oscillation today although nothing to hurt. Weather more pleasant. 338 miles traveled. At one time ten fishing vessels in sight. Many vessels seen today. The beautiful clear blue sky to be seen with mare of smoke, &c. and such I have not seen all the time I have been at England. At night [p.72] a long talk with a Mr. Lee, a gentleman passenger. So far a lovely passage, nevertheless very sick part of the time.

Sept. 14th 1879 - Very fine morning. Very sick in the night in my bowels and this morning ship progressing finely on our way. 10:30 a.m. on the foredeck the Methodist ministers held meeting and in cabin or saloon service was held by the Reverend Mr. Rodgers where the Episcopalian followers and a short discourse was delivered by the Reverend Mr. Adamson, Methodist minister, for the good of cabin passengers which to me gave no hope of life everlasting. His text was nevertheless Luke 15 chapter, 7 verse. Traveled 351 miles. At two o'clock with the elders, held meeting on the part of the steamship, President [Nils C.] Flygare presiding. Meeting opened by singing and prayer by Elder Monk and singing. Elder Childs gave a good discourse on the first principles and Elder Schofield followed. A short time meeting dismissed by singing and prayer by Elder Ralph Smith. 4 o'clock the Scandinavians held meeting preaching by Elders Rasmus Nielsen and President Flygare. 8 o'clock p.m., another service held in the saloon by Mr. Rodgers where several allusions were made of the materialists of today. My not good pain in back and limbs.

Sept. 15th - Very fine morning and day. My health some better. Wrought and read some scriptures. Traveling along finely. 334 miles. I attended to a collection in the First Ward for stewards. Also gave to our own steward, William Wen, [POSSIBLY Quinn] a kind man and proved worthy to us. His aid was needful. In sight of land and attractions we have had a fine passage. 11 o'clock p.m. arrive at quarantine, making passage in 9 days and 9 hours including the difference of time of 4.55 hours giving us not 23.30 hours per day according to our watches. Travel 153 miles.

Sept. 16th - Foggy morning with fine day. After a quiet rest we had the quarantine examination and breakfast and custom house examination. Amount of passengers: 85 cabin or saloon, 48 second class, 475 steerage passengers, total 606 souls all landed but mostly at Castle Garden. Received letter of Brother [William C.] Staines with a check for $35.00 from my family. Arranged for my railroad passage to Ogden by given my note for $22.75 to trustee and trust via James Jack after paying $30.00 to Elder William Staines less $1.75 making railroad fare $51.00 to Ogden. Sent a letter to Uncle Joseph and cousin Dorothy. President [Nils C.] Flygare and myself took rooms at the Stephens Hotel and got rest for the night.

Sept. 17th - Fine day. My health not any improved by yesterday's exertions and very [p.73] busy seeing after company affairs this morning again. By many inquiries joined with Elders Monk and Wardel [Isaac Wardle] to get supplies to travel with. 3 p.m. the first boat load crossed the river to take train. 5 p.m. the second and all of our company took quite an active part to get everything straight and all aboard
. 7 o'clock p.m. the train began to move and President [Nils C.] Flygare appointed guard to every car.

Sept. 18th - Fine morning, but my health not much improved and found that Brother Childs and myself are fleeced, our large valises containing our most choice collections. Went to the conductor and he telegraphed about them but I think the thief and brakeman are connected. 9 p.m. changed cars at Pittsburgh and found a set of very uncivil officers on that part of the railroad.

Sept. 19th - Fine morning. Mind and body ill on account of my loss of things. I set great store by, but what cannot be mended must be endured. Although they are of so little worth to those that have got them, they are of much worth to me and mine. Arrived at Chicago 7:30 p.m. and changed cars and in 30 minutes on the way again. The things in my valise when stolen: a suit of my old clothes and old hat, one clean shirt and one soiled shirt, two fronts, 1 collar, one pocket handkerchief, 2 bundles of letters, 2 diary books filled with contents of travels and my missionary labors &c, one large roll of names, one small box with presents for my family, and silver watch guard, and one card, two sets of cuff buttons or studs, two Book of Mormon, five hymn books, and two catechisms for children, 1 book Gentleman's Etiquette, one how to write, &c, several portraits and other things of minor consequence.

Sept. 20 - Very fine morning. A little frost in the night. My health not any worse and think would undoubtedly had been much improved if my mind had not been hurt with my valise being stolen. 11 o'clock p.m. Arrived in Omaha. Changed cars and got supplies and got started in still worse condition. At 10 o'clock a.m.

Sept. 21st. Fasted and prayed for the Lord's blessing. Train rolling ahead with our rocking, flat-wheeled old cars which the Union Pacific railroad keeps for emigrants. 8:30 a.m. Myself, Elders Monk and Wardle, and others went and had singing and prayers and a short discourse in each car and I think it had good effect amongst the Saints in general. Followed up at evening. My health not good.

Sept. 22 - Fine weather. Health much better today excepting too much relaxation in my bowels. Assisted in prayer and &c morning and night. Stood guard until 12 o'clock at night [p.74] having read a good deal through the day.

Sept. 23 - My health much better. Rolling ahead although many stops, our being an emigrant train and only having the right of way according to order. At Laramie, for instance, had to wait more than two hours last night and some hoodlums prominent about cars causing us to keep a double guard. Arrived at Fort Steel 8 a.m. September 23rd. . . .[p.75]

BIB: Smith, Ralph. Reminiscences and journal (Ms 1721), pp. 72-75. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)